Objective & Scope
Prototyping cycles often reach a point where additional prints no longer provide useful data. This technical instruction establishes the threshold for deciding when another trial is worthwhile. It focuses on the functional necessity of the part rather than subjective aesthetic preferences.
Technical Protocol
Decisions regarding a new trial depend on the failure of specific performance metrics. Minor visual defects usually allow for continuation without a re-print. However, modifications to critical slicer settings like wall thickness or infill patterns necessitate a new physical validation.
- Evaluate if dimensional deviations exceed the established tolerance stack-up by more than 15%.
- Identify structural failures occurring during assembly or initial load testing.
- Monitor material behaviors like warping that compromise the part's primary interface.
Verification Criteria
Final acceptance relies on the verification protocol. Teams should move to the next phase when the part satisfies all primary mechanical requirements. Otherwise, they must initiate a new trial to address the remaining functional gaps.